CITIZENS CHARTER
Last updated on 15-12-2016, 09:43
CITIZENS' CHARTER OUR MISSION Spices Board was constituted in 1987 under Spices Board Act 1986 with the responsibility of production/development of cardamom and export promotion of 52 spices shown in the schedule of the Act. We function to develop, promote and regulate export of spices, grant certificate for export of spices, undertake programmes and projects for promotion of export of spices, assist and encourage studies and research for improvement of processing, quality, techniques of grading and packaging of spices, strive towards stabilization of prices of spice export, evolve suitable quality standards and introduce certification of quality through "Quality Marking" for spices for export, control quality of spices for export, give licenses, subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed to the manufacturers of spices for export, market any spice, if it considers necessary, in the interest of promotion of export, provide warehousing facilities abroad for spices, collect statistics with regard to prices for compilation and publication, import with previous approval of Central Government any spice for sale and advise the Central Government on matters relating to import and export of spices. OUR VALUES We are committed to act with integrity and judiciousness, transparency in our operations & accountability and with courtesy and understanding in our dealings with the exporters, the farming community and the general public as a whole. All the services and commitments will be honoured, without the citizen having to pay any bribe. OUR COMMITMENT We will continuously strive to evolve procedures in fulfilling or mandate ensuring maximum benefit to the exporters as an honest and sincere facilitator, helping the farming community in post harvest technologies, in maintaining international quality standards of their produce by setting up Quality Evaluation Laboratories easily accessible both for the exporters as well as farmers and the general public as well as in grading, cleaning, packaging and ware housing of the produce of the farming community by setting up parks exclusively for Spices. We are committed to simplify, if necessary, various rules in force. We shall continuously consult our client groups, exporters/farmers, other stake holders of Indian Spice Industry and shall give timely publicity to all changes in law or procedures relevant to the Board SERVICES PROVIDED Development Wing Spices Board is responsible for the overall development of cardamom (Small & Large) especially in improving production and productivity. Post Harvest Improvement of spices is also vested with Spices Board. For achieving these objectives, Board is implementing a number of developmental programmes like Special Purpose Fund for replantation and rejuvenation of cardamom small and large in the States of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Sikkim and Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Production and distribution of disease free, healthy and quality planting materials are also taken up by certified nurseries opened in growers' field with the technical supervision of the officers of the Board. For improving quality of spices at farm level, encouraging organic production of spices, creation of replicable models based on integrated pest management , development of spices with export potential in North Eastern Region, extension service to spice growers etc. the Board has started a scheme called Export oriented production and post harvest improvement of spices. Other programmes for spices carried out by the Development Wing of the Board for spices are a. Supply of Seed spice threshers (Power operated and manually operated) g. Extension advisory service, Transfer of technical know-how to growers on production of spices is an important factor in increasing productivity. This programme envisages technical/extension support to growers on the scientific aspects of cultivation through personal contact, field visits, group meetings and through distribution of literature in vernacular languages for increasing productivity and improving quality of cardamom in the states of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, development of large cardamom in the states of Sikkim and West Bengal and selected spices in the North East and small pockets across the country] Marketing Wing EXPORT DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION The export development & promotional programmes are formulated and implemented by the Marketing department of the Board. The programmes are aimed at equipping the exporters to have necessary competitive edge in sustaining and increasing export markets for Indian spices. The market development activities of the Board have their focus on quality, value addition and technology transfer/upgradation. Licensing and Registration forms a part of the regulatory functions of the Board. The exports of spices are regulated through the Spices Board (Registration of Exporters) Regulations 1989 while the domestic marketing of cardamom is regulated through Cardamom (Licensing & Marketing) Rules 1987. As per these rules, any person desirous of doing business in cardamom as auctioneer or dealer has to obtain a license. The exporters of spices have to obtain certificates of registration from the Board. These certificate/licenses are issued for a block period of three years commencing from September onwards. The quality specifications stipulated by the buying countries are disseminated to the exporters on a continuous basis. Exporters are also given updated information on the opportunities emerging in different markets, new uses & applications in food and non-food sectors by conducting market studies. The following assistance is given to exporters/for export promotion. a. Adoption of hi-tech & technology up-gradation Other activities of the marketing wing: a. Awarding Indian Spice Logo , which denotes the quality of spices, is awarded to manufacturer exporters of spices. e. Spices Parks in major spice growing/marketing centers Spices Board has introduced the concept of Spices Parks in the major spice growing/marketing centers. The Spice Parks will provide common facilities for drying, cleaning, grading, processing (grinding, crushing etc.) sterilization, sorting, packing and ware housing of the spices. The park will also provide minimal Processing Facilities closer to the growing areas with drying and packing facilities. Another advantage anticipated from the parks is the complete documentation to Traceability of the spices from the farmer to the processors/exporters. The elimination of two to three channels in the distribution chain will ensure better prices to farmers and thus empower them. Board has taken initiative to establish Spices Parks at the following locations viz. 1.Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh 2.Idukki District in Kerala 3.Guntur in Andhra Pradesh 4.Sivagangai in Tamil Nadu 5.Jodhpur in Rajasthan 6. Kota in Rajasthan 7. Mehsana in Gujarat 8. Guna in Madhya Pradesh, 9. Rae Bareily in Uttar Pradesh and 10. Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh f. Sampling and testing of the following Quality Evaluation Laboratory Growing demand of the Spice Industry for setting up of laboratories at regional centers necessitated in establishing labs at regional centers. The Board is going to set up Regional Quality Evaluation Laboratory cum training centers at various centers in addition to the already functional laboratories at Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Tuticorin, and Guntur in order to facilitate the exporting community to analyse export products and conform to the prescribed quality Standards to their overseas buyers which would increase consumer confidence in the buying countries on quality aspects. The other centers where the construction work of Quality Evaluation Laboratories is in progress are Kolkata and Kandla. Services Offered by Quality Evaluation Laboratory The Laboratory is recruiting the final year outgoing B.SC/M.Sc Students from the nearby colleges under the "Earn while you learn Programme"every year to work as trainee analysts in its laboratory. After one year of service, these students find jobs potential in Spices industries/similar organizations. b. VALIDATION/CHECK SAMPLE PROGRAMME To validate the analytical methods adopted, the laboratory participates in the check sample/validation programmes organised by international agencies. The Laboratory regularly participate in check sample/proficiency programmes organized by Food Analysis Proficiency Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) conducted by Central Science Laboratory, UK American Spice Trade Association (ASTA); Public Health Laboratory Services (PHLS), U.K.; Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA), U.K.; International Pepper Community (IPC), Jakarta and the proficiency testing programme organized by NABL. In addition to the above, laboratory participates in validation programmes for major parameters with various laboratories in major importing countries and the laboratories attached to Spice Export units in India. Under this programme samples are collected, prepared and send to various participating Laboratories. c. TRAINING ON ANALYSIS OF SPICES AND SPICE PRODUCTS The laboratory is providing training to the technical personnel from the spice industry, Govt. officials and NGOs on the analysis of spices and spice products. Specialized training programmes for a period of 5 days are designed to cater the needs of the industry. Training programmes in the field of physico-chemical analysis, analysis of pesticide residues, Sudan I-IV analyses, aflatoxin and microbiological techniques are provided on a regular basis. The programme is aimed to upgrade and update the analytical capabilities of the technical person working in spice/spice products Industry. d. SUPPORT FOR ESTABLISHING LABORATORIES The Spices Board has a programme to assist for establishment of quality control laboratories at the level of exporters, Govt. analytical laboratories and laboratories attached to NGOs. Financial support is provided for procurement of equipments under the schemes approved by the Board. The Laboratory staff provides training to the technical personnel in the above laboratories on the use of sophisticated equipments. Under the Spices Board Scheme for setting up Laboratories attached to Spice/Spice products export units, our Laboratory staff provides technical inputs to our Marketing section on various equipments purchased under the scheme towards considering the same for availing the subsidy. e. COMPILATION OF SPECIFICATIONS AND ANALYTICAL METHODS The laboratory has compiled the information on the import regulations and quality specifications by the major importing countries. The information collected is updated and made available to the exporters in the form of a book entitled "Quality Requirements of Spices for Export". The laboratory has also published the test methods for spices as "Official Analytical Methods of Spices Board". f. PARTICIPATION IN THE CODEX/IPC/BIS/ISO MEETINGS The Board is taking part in the activities of Codex Alimentarius Commission/IPC/ISO. Spices Board is a member in the National Codex Committee. Spices Board Chairman holds the Chairmanship and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), New Delhi holds the Secretariat of the ISO/TC 34/SC7 Committee for Spice and Condiments under ISO. The Meeting of the above committee is generally held in Spices Board Office at Cochin for the active participation of its members from the spice/spice products field. The Laboratory does all the arrangements for the above meeting. The laboratory provides the materials/comments for the participation in all these meetings. g. HARMONIZATION/ESTABLISHMENT OF VARIOUS STANDARDS Spices Board is actively participating in the process of harmonization of standards for spices under various national/International agencies. The specifications suggested by the laboratory and the analytical methods proposed are incorporated in the specifications of International Pepper community (IPC). Laboratory is also providing data for the establishment of MRLs of pesticide residues in International Organizations such as Codex Alimentarius Commission, ISO etc. The laboratory is also submitting the inputs for various documents/standards. RESEARCH WING The main objective of Research at the Indian Cardamom Research Institute is for increasing the productivity of cardamom (both small & large) which would thereby help in producing adequate surplus for meeting the export demand thus enhancing the net income of spice farmers. Research is mainly focused on marginal and low production regions of small cardamom growing tracts of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as well as large cardamom growing regions of North East States. Major Areas of Research are Crop improvement, Biotechnology, Crop management, Crop protection, Post harvest technology & Organic Farming. Farmer participatory research and technology evaluation are the major activities undertaken by the research department. These include Evaluation of hybridsin Farmers' fields, Demonstration trials at Wayanad, Demonstration of EPN and Cluster based demonstration of Large Cardamom technology under National Agricultural Innovation Project. Ecosystem conservation & protection programmes cover Germplasm conservation, Pest and diseases surveillance, Screening of germplasm for pests and disease, Weather monitoring & crop impact studies, Monitoring of pesticide residues and Soil health analysis. Apart from these Sustainable production technologies are also being undertaken for Varietal development, Integrated pest and disease management as well as Integrated nutrient management. In addition to these, several externally funded multi institutional and National projects are ongoing in most of the Divisions. Farmer oriented programmes:- Major Activities to facilitate users by Research Wing in tabular format. click the link
SPICES BOARD GRIEVANCE CELL STAFF AND PUBLIC GRIEVANCES. A Grievances Cell is functioning under the direct supervision of the Secretary of the Board and he is the fulltime Grievance Officer of both public as well as staff. In addition to this for outstation offices the officer in charge of every outstation office has been designated as Grievance Redress Officer. If the grievance received by the Grievance Redress Officer can be redressed at his level it is disposed of immediately and in other cases same are submitted to the Secretary of the Board. A Grievances Box has been provided at the reception bay of the Spices Board Office at Kochi where one can deposit his complaint. A notice Board informing the public address, contact Nos etc. of the CVO, Chairman, Secretary and Central Vigilance Commission has also been kept in the Reception Bay. A Complaint Box has been kept in each office of the Board where one can drop complaint. Facility for the public to lodge their Grievance/Complaint through Spices Board's Website has also been provided in line with CVC website. All Wednesdays are observed as meeting less days in the Board and the public can without insisting on appointment can meet the officers of the Board between 3.30 PM and 4.30 PM RIGHT TO INFORMATION Spices Board has implemented the Right to Information Act, 2005 and has put in place all necessary systems and procedures on the Website of the Department. The Board has also appointed a Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), Assistant Central Public Information Officer and number of Public Information Officers and has set up a mechanism of appeal as envisaged in the Act. Secretary, Spices Board is the appellate authority. Any citizen of India can seek information from the CPIO under the Act. The Coordinating CPIO of Spices Board is Sri Roy Joseph, Dy.Director (P&C), Spices Board, Sugandha Bghavan, NH Bypass Road Cochin. Transparency Officer is Sri Jijesh T Das, Deputy Director(EDP). Sri P.M.Suresh Kumar, Secretary of the Board is the appellate authority and Nodal Officer.
GUIDANCE AND HELP Our Public Relation Office is situated in Head Office, Spices Board, under Dy.Director publicity for guidance and help and the Board welcomes your phone calls on Telephone No. 2333610-Ext. 235 |
